Existing clients: If you are an existing client and unsure if you are covered, please contact us. As our office is closed due to the pandemic, our team members are working from home and you can contact your support officer directly via email or phone. If it is an emergency, please contact your insurance provider directly using the phone-number on your insurance card. ASN, Advisory Services Network AG would like to remind everyone to follow the safety and hygienic practices outlined by the World Health Organization and continue social distancing at this time. As always, we wish you and your loved ones good health.

World Cancer Day: 10 Things You May Not Know

There is a strong possibility that you may know someone, or of someone, who is or has battled with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is, undoubtedly, one most common diseases faced by millions and millions of people every year. This World Cancer Day, we want to contribute to building an awareness of what cancer is, in the hope that it may encourage people to be tested, benefit from early detection and have an increased chance of survival.

1. Why is it called cancer?The term cancer is used to describe the appearance of certain tumours. This is because enlarged blood vessels around the tumour resemble the feet and claws of a cancer/crab.

2. Historically, what do we know of cancer?Cancer was first described in an Ancient Egyptian papyrus dating back to 1,600 B.C. The papyrus states that there was no treatment for the disease, though they didn’t know exactly what it was.

3. How many types of cancer exist?There are over 200 types of cancer. For therapy/treatment to be successful, it is very important that the diagnosis of the type of cancer is accurate.

4. Which are the leading types of cancer?The leading types of cancer are breast and prostate cancer. However, this does not mean that these are also the leading causes of death as a result of cancer. Lung cancer is still the number one cause of cancer related death for men.

5. Is there a living creature that is immune to cancer?Yes, the naked mole. The high levels of hyaluronic acid that this underground living mammal possesses is a factor in its resistance to cancer and could play an important role in scientific research for prevention/treatment of the disease.

6. How many cancer cases are hereditary?Only 10% of cancer cases are found to be linked to hereditary factors. Certain types of cancers are mostly the result of other causes, such as smoking, alcohol, nutrition, and over-exposure to sunlight or other harmful environments, etc. It is important to note that cancer is an inflammation of cells that already exist within the body; this is why it is important to protect the body from inflammation.

7. What is the most recent breakthrough in cancer research?In January 2020, scientists at Cardiff University found a new cell immune to the impact of cancer. Researchers now hope to use this discovery in creating resistance based treatments. ents.

8. Do tall people have an increased risk of cancer?Oddly enough, yes. Supposedly, for every 10 centimetres of height, above that of the average height, there is a 10% increased chance that the body could develop a tumour.

9. Do mobile phones cause cancer?We are constantly exposed to radiation, radio frequencies, electronics, etc. It is only natural to consider what this is doing to our bodies. However, in relation to cancer, mobile phones may not need to worry us. This was confirmed by a study in 2018; for over ten years, a group of laboratory rats were exposed to intense mobile phone radiation, with no evidence of tumors detected.

10. Does drinking green tea reduce the risk of cancer?Green tea is a potent and natural anti-inflammatory. As such, it can greatly assist in reducing the risk of cancer. Turmeric is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. Some regions in Japan and India, known for their high consumption of green tea and turmeric, have some of the lowest rates of cancer in the world. It is important to include natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants into your daily diet.